I think you need a feel and understanding of what genre or whatever you're trying to pull off.
Yes , not only a very succinct and accurate summary of
ANY of our individual efforts to best convey different styles, but I think that sentence also reconciles both sides of the good gear v.s. 'feel' argument.
I read that as basically " what do I
really need to present this genre in a convincing and entertaing way ?".
That philosophy unifies my 'needs'- ( completely met using a Chinese guitar, small solid state amp yet B.K.P pickups ) - with the person who will
genuinely benefit from a cranked JCM800, top of the range guitar , boutique pickups , expensive speaker cabs and carefully chosen drivers - and a shed load of effects.
Soak up the sound and spirit of the genre - and the ( diverse but equally valid ) gear choices follow. :)